Shoe-dipping machine.



5 SHEETSSHEET L Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

J. H. WALL.

SHOE DIPPING MACHINE.

APPLiCATlON FILED MAR. 1. 1911.

a h weaken WW fitiouma wym wi h woo Ema- I. H. WALL.

SHOE DlPPiNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED'MAR. 7. 1911.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

314 umufoz 3. H. WALL.

Patnted Oct. 22, 1918;.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

24 a 0 O5 0 I O0 00 Q 0 Q0 00 I o I [M S- .5/ T 3 m "W-z7 Z5 1. H. WALL SHOE DLPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7. 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

J. H. WALL SHOE DIPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1. 1911.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5 Qm, m fi m affozncq JDHN H. W212i, 8F BRISTGL, RHODE ISLAND.

SHQE-IDIPPING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented (lot. 22. laid Application filed march 7, 1917. Serial No. 153,217.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be itknown that 1, JOHN H. 'WALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bristol, in the county of Bristol and State of Rhode island, have invented a new and useful improvement in ShoeDipping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a-shoe dipping machine especially adapted for the dipping or varnishing of rubber shoes.

The primary object of the invention is to improve the construction and operation of a shoe dipping machine wherebv a plurality of shoes may be dipped in a tank and elevated thereabove by an automatic carrier under the control of the, shoe supporting means.

The invention further resides in an improved carrier for carrying the shoe supporting bars from the dipping mechanism to a position where the shoes are permittedto drip together with means operable by the shoe bar for rendering the carrier inoperative.

A further object is to provide a coupling means between the carrier and a power drive which is adapted to be rendered inoperative by a shoe bar upon the latter reaching a predetermined position, and means for preventing retrograde movement of the carrier and itssupported shoe bar after being uncoupled from the drive.

Qther aims will appear as the description progresses reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein-- Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved shoe dipping machine looking at one end thereof.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the machine as seen from the opposite end.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the machine looking toward the end of the machine depicted in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the end portion of the machine shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 shows the dipping tank in section with the dipping mechanism in an operative position.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing more clearly the carrier coupler.

Fig. shows the coupling means from the side the view being taken through Fig. 6 on line 7 and Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective of the coupling latch.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the numerals 1 designatethe upright frame members that are braced apart by cross bars 2, the lower ones of which support the varnish-containing tank 3.

The shoe dipping mechanism is arranged above the tank for movement down thereinto and comprises a shaft a'which is journa'led in the rear uprights 1 and. fixedly carries a pair of forwardly extending arms 5 of a dipping frame that overhangs the tank. On the freeends of these arms are rotatable hubs 6 having opposing pockets 7 in which the ends of shoe supporting bars 8 engage. Lateral arms 9 on the hubs support a second shaft 10 on which is mounted a pair of links 11 that have their free ends connected by links 12 to the locking bar 13. The latter is yieldably supported by cables 14: that pass over pulleys l5 and are secured to guided weights 16; A lowering and elevating lever 17 is fixed to shaft 4 and extends beneath the tank and upwardly in a forward manner to dispose the handle 18 within convenient reach while a rotating lever 19 is fixed to the shaft 10. Coiled springs 20 return the arms 5 to normal position, such position be ing defined by thestops 21 with which the arms engage. I

The shoe bars 8 having been disposed in the hub pockets 7 the operator lifts up on the lever 19 and depresses handle 18 which operation brings the looking or heel bar 13 into engagement with the heel portions of the shoes, as depicted in Fig. 5, to lock the shoes during their immersion in'the varnish. When released, the dipping mechanism is returned to normal position by the coiiperating sppings 20 and weighted cables 1%.

The shoe bar is normally supported by the dipping mechanism in the path of a series of lifting hooks 22 of a carrier mechanism, so that when the dipping operation is completed the shoe bar will beengaged at each end by the hooks and elevated from the hub pockets. The hooks are carried in cooperating pairs on companion sprocket conveyor chains23 which take over sprockets 24 and 25 and are guided in a serpentine course from the tank to the forward sprockets 24 by a pair of spaced guides 26 that arefixed at each end of the frame structure. It will be noted that the weight of the shoes is at all times in back of the center of gravity, so that the-shoe bar will be firmly held in the lifting hooks, and by reason of the configuration of the guides, the shoes will be given, a rocking movement to, spread the varnish evenly over the toes.- The drive sprockets 25 are fixed on a shaft 27 which is journaled on the upper cross bar 2 and extended at each end.

On one extended end of the shaft 27 is fixed an arm 28 and adjacent this arm is a loose gear 29 which meshes with a smaller gear 30 that is fixed on drive shaft 31, power being applied to the latter through a pulley 32 and belt 33. An L-shaped latch 34 is pivoted to the outer face of gear 29, as at 35, and has one end provided with a spring seat 36 and its opposite right angular end 37 extending through a guiding slot 38 in said gear into the path of the arm 28. A coiled spring 39 is interposed between the gear and the seat 36 to constantly urge the latch end 37 into the path of .arm 28. The outer edge of the latch end is extended and bent back wardly at'an inclination to provide a cam '40, as depicted in the detailed perspective Fig. 8.

It is obvious that by disposing an obstacle in the path of the cam 40, the latter will shift inwardly and carry the latch end 37 out of the path of arm 28 and consequently uncouple the loose gear from shaft 27 Such uncoupling action stops the carrier mechanism to permit the shoes to drain and the shoe bars to be subsequently removed from the carrier chains.

This operation is rendered automatic by pivoting a trip arm 41 adjacent the upper end of one'of the chain guides and in the I path of the shoe bars, so that as a shoe bar approaches the upper end of the chain guide it will contact and rock the trip arm to project a trip plunger 42 into the path of cam 40. This plunger is normally held retracted by the weight of the trip arm 41 and is connected by link 44 to a crank lever 45, this lever being fixedly related to the trip lever and journaled in bearing 46 on the frame. The spring 43 is carried by the plunger 42 between a fixed bearing and a sliding bearing connected to the link 44, so

that in case the-point of the plunger should strike the cam 40 the spring would give, preventing damage to the plunger.

Thus, the shoe bar is brought to rest at a definite point above the tank where surplus varnish is permitted to fall back into the bath and from whichposition the bars are removed from the lifting hooks.

In case of accident, however, this uncou pling means may fail to operate, so as to safeguard against a possible non-operation thereof, a second trip 47 is arranged in the path of the shoe bars and beyond the uncoupling trip 41 but at the opposite end of the frame, said trip 47 being connected, through link 48, bell crank lever 49 and link 50, to a belt shipper 51. This shipper freely engages about the belt 33 so that upon operation of the strip 47 by a shoe bar that has failed to effect an uncoupling through trip 41, the belt will be shifted from the-tight pulley 32 to the loose pulley 52 and thus sto the carrier as well as the shaft 31.

n the opposite extending end of shaft 27 is fixed a cam wheel 53 andv riding over the cam periphery is a roller 54 which is carried on the outer end of squeeze lever 55, this lever being fulcrumed at 56 to the upper cross bar and urged downwardly against the cam by a'coiled spring 57 thathas its lower end anchored to a cross bar 2. The ends of the cam face are joined by a radially extending face 58 so that the instant the roller 54 starts down said radial face thespring 57 will through its urging tendency give the shaft 27 a partial rotation. This additional rotary movement of the shaft is especially desirable since otherwise. by reason of the thickness of the latch end 37 and-the thickness of the arm 28, there would .apt to he a slight contact between the arm and latch every time the latter came around with the constantly rotating loose gear and before the spring trip plunger 42 has traveled its full distance to completely release the arm from the latch. Being properly timed, the roller 54 would start down the face 58 immediately upon the arm 28 being released so that, after the shaft has been uncoupled from the gear 29,. a further movement is imparted to said shaft sufficient to lift the arm slightly above the contact position it would have with the latch.

When the shaft 27 is uncoupled from gear 29, the roller 54 is engaged with face 58 so as to prevent retrograde movement of the carrier chains and their supported shoe bars. Thus, this spring urged lever performs a dual function when the carrier mechanism is, uncoupled from its drive.

In operation, a shoe bar loaded with the shoes to be varnished is placed in the hub or holder pockets and the dipping mecha-' nism operated by lifting on lever 19 and dcpressing handle 18. This manual operation brings the locking bar 13 in contact with the heels to lock the shoe bar and shoes against dislodgment.

The gradual depression of handle 18 will cause the submerging of the shoes in the varnish bath to properly coat the shoes. The lifting of handle 18, aided by springs 20, will return the dipping mechanism to normal position and dispose the shoe bar in the path of the carrier hooks to be engaged thereby automatically. The hooks will lift the bar, having the dipped shoes on it, and as the chains travel very slowly the eX- cess of varnish will be permitted to drop from the shoes back into the tank. A second bar of shoes is placed in the holder pockets and dipped as above described and then lifted by the carrier hooks, and then a third bar of shoes is placed in position and dipped. After three bars of shoes have been dipped the machine becomes automatic in action, that is to say, the first bar of shoes has been lifted to the highest point and con-' tacting with the uncoupling trip, the carrier will be disconnected from its drive and the bar of shoes brought torest awaiting removal from the hooks by the operative. Upon removal of the first bar of shoes by the operative the machine Will automatically resume operations and pick up the next bar of shoes which in the meantime has been dipped. As the bars travel slowly upwardly the shoes, by reason of the configuration of the chain guides, assumediii'erent positions, the purpose of which is to prevent the varnish from bunching and cause the coating to spread itself over the toe.

Should the uncoupler fail to operate the carrier will move the shoe bar into engage ment with the belt. shipping trip which latter serves in the capacity of an emergency or safety stop in preventing any damage.

The roller 54 checks the shoe bar against retrograde movement, as well as partially revolving the shaft 27 to lift the arm from the latch.

The machine is compact and automatic, subsequent to the dipping. operation, the shoes being evenly coated and brought to rest automatically at a position directly over And while the conthe varnish container.

- struction has been minutely described, it is understood that such changes may be resorted to as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is b 1. In a shoe dipping machine, a shoe holder, dipping means removably supporting' the same, a carrier mechanism adapted to automatically remove the shoe holder from the dipping means. and means ar ranged in the pathot and operable by the holder for stopping the carrier mechanism.

2. In a shoe dipping machine, a shoe holder, a frame, dipping means arranged on the frame and removably supporting the shoe holder, an endless'sprocket chain, chain guide on the frame, a hook carried by the chain for removing the shoe holder from said dipping means, a trip arranged in the path of the holder to be engaged thereby, a drive for the chain, and means operable by the trip to disconnect the drive from the chain.

3. In combination with shoe dipping means, a tank, a shoe holder removably carried by said means, an endless carrier arranged above the tank having means for removing the shoe holder from the dipping means and means for arresting the carrier while over the tank.

4c. In combination with shoe dipping means and a shoe holder removably carried thereby, a tank, a carrier adapted to remove the holder from the dipping means and means for imparting a swinging movement to theshoe holder during its upward travel over the tank.

5. In combination with shoe dipping means and a shoe holder removably carried thereby, a continuously operating carrier adapted to remove the holder from the dipping means, and means operable by contact with the holder when supported on the carrier for arresting the latter.

6. In combination with shoe dipping means and a shoe holder removably carried thereby, a continuously operating carrier adapted to remove the holder from the dipping means, a drive for the carrier, and means arranged in the path of the holder on the carrier for contact by the holder to disconnect the drive from the carrier and arrest the latter.

7. In combination with shoe dipping means including a tank, a shoe holder removably supported on said means, a carrier adapted to remove the holder from the dipping means, means for driving the carrier, a trip operable by the holder on the carrier, a coupling between the drive and carrier, and means operable by the trip for rendering the coupling inoperative.

8. In combination with shoe dipping means including a tank, a shoe holder removably supported on said means, a carrier adapted to remove the holder from the dipping means, means for driving the carrier, a trip operable by the holder on the carrier, a coupling between the drive and carrier including a driven part and a contacting driving part, and means operable by the trip for moving one coupling part from thepath of the other part to render the coupling inop erative.

9. In combination with shoe dipping means including a tank, a shoe holder removably supported on said means, a carrier adapted to remove the holder from the dipping means, means for driving the carrier, a trip operable by the holder on the carrier, a coupling between the drive and carrier including a driven part and a contacting driving part, and a second trip operable by the first trip toengage one coupling part and deflect the same from its course past the other coupling part 'to render the coupling inoperative.

10. In combination with a shoe dipping mechanism including a tank, of means for rocking the shoes over the tank after dipping to effect an even spread of the coating over the shoes.

11. In combination with a shoe dipping mechanism including a tank, means for removing the shoes therefrom and disposing the-shoes in diflerent positions while over the tank to spread the coating evenly. I

12. In combination with a shoe dipping mechanism including a tank, means for removing the shoes therefrom, and means for disposing the shoes in varying positions during their removal from thedipping mechanism while directly over the tank whereby the coating is evenly spread and the drippings may fall back into the tank.

e 13. In combination with a shoe dipping mechanism including a tank, a flexible carrier for removing the shoes therefrom, and means for guiding the carrier so as to efiect a rocking of the shoes during transit in an upwardly inclined course above the tank.

let. In combination with a shoe dipping mechanism including a tank, an endless carrier chain, means on the chain for taking the shoes from the dipping mechanism, and a serpentine chain guide arranged above the tank at an inclination.

15.v In combination with a shoe dipping mechanism including a tank, an endless carrier chain, .means on the chain for taking the shoes from the dipping mechanism and rigidly holding the same so that the shoes will respond to the flexing of the chain, andmeans for flexing the chain in an irregular coulrse having a general inclination above the tan 16. In a shoe dipping machine, a'tank, an endless carrier, means for driving the same, hook means on the carrier, shoe dipping means, and a shoe support carried by the latter and normally arranged in the path of the hook means to be lifted thereby.

17. In a shoe dipping machine, a rotatably supported shaft, a sprocket thereon, a chain driven by the sprocket, a hook on the chain,

a tank, a clipping mechanism having means for supporting a shoe carried normally inthe path of the hook to be engaged thereby, a drive for the shaft, means for disconnecting the drive from the shaft, and means to prevent retrograde movement of thelatter when disconnected from the drive.

18. In a shoe dipping machine, a shoe bar, dipping means removably supporting the same, a earrier'mechanism including an elevating chain adapted to lift the shoe bar from said means, a drive shaft for the chain,

a loose gear on the shaft, an arm fixed on the latter, a pivoted latch carried by the gear normally in the path of the arm to engage the same for driving the shaft from the gear, means operable by the shoe bar on the chain for engaging the latch to move the same from the path of the arm, and means for holding the chain from retrograde movement when the shaft is uncoupled from the gear. 4

20. In a shoe dipping machine, a shoe bar, dipping means removably supporting the same, a carrier mechanism including an elevating chain adapted to lift the shoe bar from said means, a drive shaft for the chain,

a loose gear on the shaft, an arm fixed on the,

latter, a pivoted latch carried bythe gear normally in the path ofthe arm to engage the same for driving the shaft from the gear, means operable by the shoe .bar on the chain for engaging the latch to move the same from the path of the arm, a wheel carried by the shaft having an interrupted periphery, and meansengaging the wheel periphery to hold the. shaft-against reverse movement.

21. In a shoe dipping machine, a shoe bar, dipping means removably supporting the same, a carrier mechanism including anelevating chain adapted to lift the shoe bars and a drive shaft for the chain, a loose gear on the shaft, an arm fixed on the latter, a

pivoted latch carried by the gear normally in the path of the arm to engage the same for driving the shaft from the gear, means operable by the shoe bar on the chain for engaging the latch tov move the same from the path of the arm, a'wheel carried by the shaft having an irregular periphery including a substantially radial face, and a spring actuated squeeze lever having one end adapted to engage the face and impart limited rotary movement to the shaft to move the arm a distance from where the latch disengaged it.

22. In a shoe dipping machine, a shoe holder, a frame, dipping means on the frame for removably supporting the shoe holder, a shaft journaled thereon, a rotary drive member loose on the shaft, a fixed part on the latter, a latch pivoted. to the drive member so as to project normally in the path of said naeaeoa fixed part for coupling the drive member to the shaft, a shoe holder carrier operable by the shaft, to remove and carry the shoe holder from the clipping means and automatically operable means for moving the latch from the path of the fixed part to arrest the carrier.

23. In a shoe dipping machine, a frame, a shaft jonrnaled thereon, a rotary drive member loose on the shaft, a fixed part on the latter, a latch pivoted to the drive member so as to project normally in the path of said fixed part, for coupling the drive member to the shaft, an endless carrier operable by the shaft, a hook on the carrier, a tank below the carrier on the frame, a dipping frame movably supported hythe first frame above the tank and having means for normally'holding a shoe holder in the path of the hook to be engaged thereby, and means operable by a shoe holder on the carrier hook for moving the latch from the path of the fixed part.

24, In a shoe dipping machine, a frame, a shaft journaled thereon, a rotary drive member loose on the shaft, a fixed part on the latter, a latch pivoted to the drive member so as to project normally in the path of said fixed part for coupling the drive member to the shaft, an endless carrier operable by the shaft, a hook on the carrier, a tank below the carrier on the frame, a dipping frame movably supported by the first frame above the tank and having means for normally holding a shoe holder in the path of the hook to be engaged thereby, a trip slidable into the path of the latch to engage the same and move it from the path of the fixed part, and means operable by a shoe holder on the car rier hook to render the trip operative.

25. In a shoe dipping machine, a frame, a shaft journaled thereon, a rotary drive mem ber loose on the shaft, a fixed part on the latter, a latch pivoted to the drive member so as to project normally in the path of said fixed part for coupling the drive member to the shaft, an endless carrier operable by the shaft, a hook on the carrier, a tank below the carrier on the frame, a dipping frame movahly supported by the first frame above the tank and having means for normall holding a shoe holder in the path of the 00k to he engaged thereby, a trip slidahle into the path of the latch to engage the same and move it from the path of the first part, a second trip for operating the first trip arranged in the path of a shoe holder on the carrier hook to be operated thereby, and means for holding the carrier against retrograde movement when the shaft is uncoupled from the drive member.

26. In a shoe dipping machine, a frame, a shaft journaled thereon, a rotary drive member loose on the shaft, a fixed part on the latter, a latch pivoted to the drive member so as to project normally in the path of said fixed part for coupling the drive member to the shaft, an endless carrier operable by the shaft, a hook on the carrier, a tank below the carrier on the frame, a dipping frame movably supported by the first frame above the tank and having means for normally holding a shoe holder in the ath of the hook to be engaged thereby, a trip slidabl'e into the path of the latch to engage the same and move it from the path, of the first part, a second trip for 0 crating the first trip arranged in the path 0 a shoe holder on the carrier hook to be operated thereby, a wheel fixed on the shaftand provided with an interrupted periphery, and a catch lever pivoted on the first frame to interlock with the interrupted periphery of the wheel when the shaft is uncoupled from the drive member to hold the carrier against retrograde movement.

27. In a shoe dipping machine, a frame, a shaft journaled thereon, a rotary drive member loose on the shaft, a fixed part on the latter, a latch pivoted to the drive memher so as to project normally the path of said fixed part for coupling the drive member to the shaft, an endless carrier operable by the shaft, a hook on the carrier, a tank below the carrier on the frame, a dipping frame movably supported by the first frame above the tank and having means for normally holding a shoe holder in the path of the hook tobe engaged thereby, a trip slidable into the path of the latch to engage the same and move it from the path of the fixed part, a second trip for operating the first trip arranged in the path of a shoe holder on the carrier hook to be operated thereby, a cam wheel having a substantially straight face, a squeeze lever pivoted to the frame and adapted to ride on the face of the wheel to impart rotary movementto the shaft and thereby carry the fixed part from the position in which the latch disengaged it, and means for causing-the lever to ride on the face of the cam wheel 28, In a shoe dipping machine, a shoe holder, dipping means removably supporting the holder, a carrier mechanism for lift:

ing the holder from the dipping means and including a shaft, a continuous drive for the shaft, a coupling between the drive and shaft comprising relatively movable parts arranged in the path of one another so that the continuously operating driving part will contact the driven part and thereby couple the drive to the shaft, means for moving one coupling part from the path of the companion part to uncouple the shaft, and means for moving the driven coupling part a slight distance from where the driving coupling part disengaged it to obviate the continuously operating driving part having unauthorized and possible contact with the driven part and provide retrograde movement of the carrier with its shoe holder.

29. In a shoe dipping machine, a shoe holder, dipping means removably Supporting the holder, a 'carrier mechanism for lifting the holder from the dipping means and including a shaft, a continuous drive for the shaft, a coupling between the drive and shaft comprising relatively movable parts arranged in the path of one another so that the continuously operating driving part will contact the driven part and thereby couple the drive to the shaft, means for moving one coupling part from the path of the companion part to uncouple the shaft, and means for movin the driven coupling part and holding it a slight distance from where the driving coupling part disengaged it to obviate the continuously operating driving part having unauthorized and possible contact with the driving part and provide retrograde movement of the carrier with its shoe holder.

30. In a shoe dipping machine, a shoe holder, a frame, dipping means on the frame removabl supporting the holder, a shaft journale on the frame, a rotary drive member loose on the shaft, a fixed part on the latter, a pivoted latch carried by the drive member to engage the fixed part and provided with a cam face, a carrier operable by the shaft for lifting the shoe holder from said dipping means, and means operable by the carrier when carrying the shoe holder for extending inthe path of the latch to engage the cam face and shift the latch from engagement with the fixed part.

31. In a shoe di ping machine, a tank, an endless carrier, a ipping mechanism adapted to normally support a shoe holder in the path of the carrier and above the .tank, means for driving the carrier, and spaced independently operable means arranged one in advance of the. other in the path of a shoe holder .to be operated thereby for arresting the carrier.

32. In a shoe dipping machine, an endless carrier, a tank, a clipping mechanism adapted to normally support a shoe holder in the path of the carrier, a main drive shaft, loose and tight pulleys on the latter, a belt for drivingthe pulleys, a belt shipper cooperating with the belt, a driven shaft for actuating the carrier, a clutch drive connection between the shafts, and spaced means arranged one in advance of the other adjacent the carrier, one ofsaid means operating the belt shipper and the other rendering the clutch connection inoperative.

33. In a shoe dipping machine, a frame, a shaft journaled thereon, spaced sprockets on the shaft, a pair of chains passing over the sprockets, cooperating pairs of hooks on the chains, a tank, a shoe dipping mechanism having means for supporting a shoe bar to be engaged by a pair of hooks, means for driving the shaft, and means operable by the shoe bar on the chain hooks for rendering the driving means inoperative.

In testimony whereof I have signedmy name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. WALL. 

